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Home > For Free > Articles > issue10vol6
In Search of a Simpler Work Experience
By David Brewster April 2007
I made my move two years ago. At the time I didn't tell many people. I didn't want to be embarrassed if it didn't work out. I didn't want people saying, "I told you so". But now, two years on, it's time I told you about my shift.
In the early days, the old place promised a lot, marketed as it was with rolling green hills, sunny skies and seemingly boundless potential for growth. By and large it delivered - at least it seemed to. The world in those days was pretty much limited to my immediate vicinity so if I was missing something I didn't know what it was.
Over time, new buildings went up; new roads were built. I was offered many more places to go, clubs to join and things to do. It was exciting at first but soon began to feel noisy and crowded.
It became harder to get around and harder to find things. The place was becoming tangled. And rather than untangle things - rather than properly streamline things - its designers decided it would be easier to offer constant advice.
So advice came. Whether I wanted it or not. I found I was being offered unsolicited advice at every turn. Animated creatures would suggest new ways of doing things - even if I was happy with the old way. Little yellow boxes would warn me when something had changed, even if the change wasn't relevant to me at the time.
As things became more congested, blockages started to appear. Several times a day, I would find my way unexpectedly obstructed. There was always an explanation but none of them ever made any sense. Time and time again I would be forced to back up and start again.
It got worse. As my place became more connected to other places, it got even more crowded. And with the crowds came crooks. Vandals and thieves increasingly roamed the streets; everyone started building big walls to keep them out. It just made the place feel darker.
I began to feel like I was operating in a scene from Bladerunner: modern but very dark. I decided to make the move.
And what a move! Suddenly the world opened up in front of me again. It was light and brightly coloured. It was beautifully designed. Everything felt so much simpler. It was easy to get around, easy to find things. On the very odd occasion that I was held up, it was only for a moment.
I found I was able to enjoy working again. It became intuitive - even fun - to get things done. Gone was the needless noise. Everything just worked! Better still, everyone in my new community had smiles on their faces. This was the place to be!
In truth I knew straight away that this new place, the world of the Apple Mac, was somewhere I would stay. I knew straight away that I could never go back. Life's too short.
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'Success with Simplicity' strips management back to basics. The book offers a fresh perspective on the challenge of management plus insight into how you can use simplicity to have balance and success.
